If you are searching for how to sell 2nd hand furniture, you likely want two things:
- A simple plan that actually works
- A list of platforms that real people in the USA use
This guide walks you through the full process, from deciding what to sell to getting paid.
1. Decide if your furniture is worth selling
Before you list anything, check if it makes sense to sell it at all.
Ask yourself:
- Is it in good, usable condition
- Is it a known brand or higher quality piece
- Is the style current, simple, or classic
- Is it real wood, metal, or higher quality material
- Can it survive one more move without falling apart
Good candidates to sell
- Solid wood tables and chairs
- Dressers, nightstands, and quality bed frames
- Sofas and sectionals in clean condition
- Office chairs and desks
- Bookshelves and storage units
- Branded pieces like West Elm, IKEA, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, CB2, Herman Miller
Better to donate or recycle
- Items with water damage, mold, or strong odors
- Broken frames or sagging cushions
- Very dated styles that are hard to match
- Very cheap particle board that chips or crumbles
If you would not buy it yourself, it is often better to donate it.
2. Clean and prepare the furniture
Presentation directly affects price and speed of sale.
Basic cleaning
- Wipe hard surfaces with a damp cloth and mild cleaner
- Vacuum fabric cushions
- Use a fabric cleaner on spots and stains
- Polish wood with furniture polish if needed
Simple fixes
- Tighten screws and bolts
- Replace missing knobs or handles
- Touch up small scratches with wood markers or filler
- Re-glue loose joints if you can do it safely
Measure everything
Buyers care about fit. Measure and write down:
- Width
- Depth
- Height
- Seat height for chairs and sofas
You will use these measurements in every listing.
3. Take clear, honest photos
Good photos sell 2nd hand furniture faster than fancy words.
Set up
- Place the item in a clean, uncluttered space
- Use natural light if possible
- Avoid strong backlight from windows
Take these shots
- Front view
- Side view
- Top view
- Close up of details or brand logo
- Close up of any flaws like scratches, stains, chips
Do not hide damage. Honest photos build trust and reduce returns or complaints.
4. Write a strong listing description
A clear description helps buyers feel safe about your item.
Include:
- What the item is
- Example: “Solid wood dining table with 4 chairs”
- Brand and model, if known
- Dimensions in inches
- Color and finish
- Material
- Condition
- Like new
- Gently used
- Used with wear
- Age if you know it
- Any scratches, dents, or stains
- From a smoke free home or not
- From a pet free home or not
- Pickup location, at least by neighborhood or ZIP code
- Whether you can help load or deliver for a fee
This will help How To Sell 2nd Hand Furniture in the USA
Example description
Solid wood dining table with 4 matching chairs from IKEA.
Dark brown finish.
Table: 55 inches long, 33 inches wide, 29 inches high.
Used for 3 years.
Some light scratches on the surface, no deep damage.
From a smoke free home with one dog.
Pickup only near 10025, elevator building.
I can help carry to your car.
This kind of detail makes buyers more willing to message you.
5. Price your 2nd hand furniture
Pricing is where many sellers get stuck. Here is a simple way to think about it.
Check similar listings
Search on:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- OfferUp
- AptDeco or Kaiyo for higher end items
Look for items close to yours in:
- Brand
- Size
- Condition
- Location
Note the price at which similar items are actually selling, not just listed. On some sites you can filter by “sold” or “completed” listings.
General pricing rules
These are rough guides for how to sell 2nd hand furniture at a realistic price:
- Budget brands like IKEA, Target, Wayfair
- In good condition: about 20 to 40 percent of the original price
- Mid range brands like West Elm, CB2, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn
- In good to very good condition: about 30 to 60 percent
- High end or designer brands
- In very good condition: sometimes 50 to 70 percent, more if in demand
If you want a faster sale, start a bit lower. If you are patient, you can list higher and accept offers.
6. Choose where to sell in the USA
Here are the main online and offline options, with pros and cons.
A. Local online marketplaces
These are best when you want local pickup and no shipping.
Facebook Marketplace
- Reach: Very large local audience
- Pros
- Free to list
- Buyers can see your general profile, which builds trust
- Built in chat
- Tips
- Join local buy sell groups in your city
- Post clear photos and a fair price
- Be ready for some low offers
Craigslist
- Reach: Strong in many US cities
- Pros
- No account required in most areas
- Good for large items like sofas and beds
- Tips
- Do not share personal details by email
- Suggest meeting in a public place when possible
- Cash is common on Craigslist
OfferUp
- Reach: Strong in many metro areas
- Pros
- App based and simple to use
- Ratings build trust
- Tips
- Respond fast to messages
- Use honest condition labels
Nextdoor
- Reach: Focus on your neighborhood
- Pros
- People near you see the listing
- Often more polite and community focused
- Tips
- Good for quick local pickup
- Great for medium priced items
B. Specialty used furniture platforms
These focus on furniture and home goods and can attract buyers who want better quality.
AptDeco
- Areas: Major cities including New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington DC, parts of California
- Pros
- They handle pickup and delivery in many locations
- Safer payment system
- Best for
- Mid to high end brands in good condition
Kaiyo
- Areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, parts of Pennsylvania and Washington DC, and some other regions
- Pros
- They pick up, clean, photograph, and list your furniture
- You get paid after the item sells
- Best for
- Quality modern furniture and known brands
Chairish
- Reach: Nationwide online
- Pros
- Focus on vintage, designer, and high end pieces
- Attracts buyers who want unique items
- Best for
- Vintage, antique, or designer furniture
These sites often take a commission, but they reduce your work.
C. General resale sites and apps
These work best for smaller furniture or decor pieces that can be shipped.
eBay
- Reach: Nationwide and global
- Pros
- Huge audience
- Auction or fixed price options
- Best for
- Small to medium items that fit in boxes
- Branded pieces that can be shipped safely
Mercari and Poshmark Home
- Reach: Nationwide
- Pros
- Prepaid shipping labels for many items
- Easy listing from phone
- Best for
- Side tables, stools, small shelves, decor
Larger items on these sites may require freight shipping, which reduces profit.
D. Offline options
Consignment furniture stores
- You bring the item to the store
- They sell it for you and take a percentage
- Best for quality pieces in good condition
- Slower, but less work for you
Thrift stores and charity shops
- Good if you care more about clearing space than profit
- Some offer tax receipts
- Best for lower value or older pieces
Yard or garage sales
- Great for clearing many items in one day
- Buyers expect low prices
- Best when you have several items to sell at once
7. How to choose the right platform for your item
Use these questions:
- Is my item heavy or light
- Is it high value or low value
- Do I need fast cash or can I wait
- Am I willing to handle shipping
For large, heavy items
- Use Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, Nextdoor
- Consider AptDeco or Kaiyo if available in your area
For small to medium items
- Use Facebook Marketplace and local apps
- Also list on eBay, Mercari, or Poshmark Home if you can ship
For high end or designer furniture
- Chairish, AptDeco, Kaiyo
- Or local consignment stores
8. Plan pickup, delivery, or shipping
Logistics often decide whether a deal goes through.
Local pickup
- The buyer comes to your home or storage unit
- Clear the path to the item
- Measure hallways and doors
- Have the item near the exit if possible
- Have someone with you during pickup for safety
You deliver locally
You can offer local delivery for a small fee to attract buyers without a car.
- Decide your delivery radius in miles
- Set a flat delivery fee or include it in price
- Use a friend, van, or small truck if needed
Use moving or gig services
You can also use:
- Dolly
- TaskRabbit
- GoShare
- Lugg
- uShip
These services can move large pieces for a fee. Sometimes the buyer will pay, sometimes you split the cost.
Shipping
For large pieces, shipping gets complex. Use shipping mostly for:
- Small tables
- Accent chairs
- Compact shelves
- Decor
Use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and corner protectors.
9. Stay safe and avoid scams
Safety is an important part of how to sell 2nd hand furniture in the USA.
General safety tips
- Meet in a public place when possible
- If buyers must come to your home, have someone else present
- Keep valuables out of sight
- Communicate through the platform chat system
Payment safety
- Cash is simple for local sales
- You can also use Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal
- Avoid personal checks
- Avoid money orders from unknown people
- Never accept “overpayment” where someone sends extra and asks you to send the difference back
If anything feels wrong, cancel the deal.
10. Simple step by step plan: how to sell 2nd hand furniture
Here is a quick checklist you can follow.
- Decide if the item is worth selling or should be donated
- Clean it and make small repairs
- Measure all sides and write them down
- Take clear photos from several angles
- Write a simple, honest description
- Research prices on a few platforms
- Pick your main platform and one backup
- List the item with photos, description, and price
- Respond to messages and be clear on pickup or delivery
- Confirm payment method before they arrive
- Help load the item safely
- Mark the listing as sold
Conclude: How To Sell 2nd Hand Furniture in USA is easy now just follow this instruction and you will find the best price and place to sell your furniture.